Georgia plantation using cougar urine to deter hogs

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — Workers at a historic plantation in south Georgia are using cougar urine to scare off feral hogs that have rooted grass and damaged a nature trail.

The manager of the historic Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, Bill Giles, said he was initially skeptical after getting advice to use the urine to ward off hogs.

But the hogs appeared to go away after he spread the powdered urine around sites that he wanted to protect.

Giles told the Florida Times-Union that he cannot spread enough to protect the entire 1,200-acre property. He instead focuses on protecting high-visibility areas around the plantation house, barns and other buildings.

A Colorado lawmaker who has called for the state to add a summer month to the hunting season for black bears will instead try to persuade officials to study bear overpopulation and how to reduce conflicts with humans.

The plan only makes reference to “high-intensity hazing techniques by trained personnel.” Techniques include throwing rocks or golf balls, as well as “aggressive hazing” meant to “address more egregious coyote-related incidents” or attacks.

A wildlife guide has been sentenced to 6 months home confinement, a $5,000 fine, 50 hours of community service and 3 years' probation for illegally capturing and maiming mountain lions and bobcats to make hunts easier for clients.

Besides the violations of the hands-off policy, state officials said, other violations ranged from failing to report births and deaths of wolves, transporting wolves without permission, and failing to report a wolf escape in 2011.